Msn

[queenofmean]

Ok I got new laptop and such and have all this new stuff but how do I access my old msn without ballsing up my new 'account' etc or should I just go without? I can't actually remember my password and I hoped that I had changed it but I am not really sure, can anybody point me in the right direction really, or should I just use it when I use my ipod?

[Huderon]

If, by MSN, you mean MSN or Live Messenger stick with the ipod for now. Microsoft are shutting messenger down in March and transferring all their messenger users over to Skype.

If you need to use it on the laptop, go to account.live.com/password/reset and change your password for the MSN account there, then use your MSN id and new password to log in to Skype. You should find that all your contacts are already there.

The most recent version of MSN/Live Messenger is still available from places like Filehippo or Cnet but you can't get it from Microsoft any more. When you run it, it will remind you to upgrade to Skype every couple of days, but once you get past that reminder, it will work as normal.

[queenofmean]

I hate Skype but I'll keep it on my ipod if they are getting shot of it. Thank you for your help :)

[Huderon]

You will have to move to Skype sooner or later !

However, there are alternatives available. Pidgin is one of several IM programs which allow you to use multiple accounts on different chat systems (including MSN), and have them all running at the same time. The interface clear and simple, and there is a plugin available which allows you to chat to people on Skype (though you do have to have Skype running to make use of it). As far as I can tell, it does not support video and voice chat at the moment which is fine by me as I rarely use them anyway, but may not suit you.

There are others which have the same sort of connectivity to different messaging networks, Trillian being one which comes to mind. It does interface with Skype, but I haven't used it so can't really say anything much about it.

[queenofmean]

I had Skype Huderon and I hated it...but I will possibly reconsider it at somepoint - why can't they just leave things alone :( but thank you for your advice and suggestions